The AWWOA Newsletter
40
th
Winter 2015
Issue 25
Annual Operators Seminar
March 9 – 13, 2015, Banff, Alberta
In This Issue :
Operators Seminar ....................1
Pre-seminar Workshops............2
Greetings from ESRD.................3
Operators Seminar Cont’d.........3
Bylaws - Proposed Change.......4
Certification Best Practices.......4
The Old Operator........................5
Banff Friday Sesison..................6
Charitable Donations.................7
Classroom Courses....................8
The AWWOA Executive Board welcomes you to the annual Operators Seminar held in majestic Banff,
Alberta. We are thrilled to be hosting the 40th year celebration with you, in one of the most beautiful places
in the world.
Your Executive and the Banff Seminar Committee have been working diligently to bring you an outstanding
program with functions prepared specifically for your enjoyment. The Operators Seminar is the marquee
event for the water and wastewater industry in Alberta. It offers multiple opportunities for learning, peer
engagement, and networking throughout the week-long event. It attracts industry professionals from
across the country. Enjoy our networking events such the pizza, beer and wine mixer on Monday night and
the fun Casino Night on Wednesday evening.
Banff mayor, Honorable Karen Sorensen, will join us for the official Seminar opening on Wednesday,
March 11th at 9 a.m. in the Banff Park Lodge Ballroom. This will be followed by an awards presentation
for the 10, 20 and 30 year AWWOA members. See more details on “What’s New at the 40th Operators
Seminar,” page 3.
Pre-Seminar Workshops
#1: Fires, Floods and Other Extreme Events: of typical components used in each level of the control
system model including: Process, Local Control,
Is Your Utility Ready?
Monday March 9, 2015 - Full Day (0.6 CEU’s pending)
Climate change and other pressures on water sources
originating in forested watersheds are an increasing
challenge for drinking water operators and managers.
At this workshop operators and managers will share
lessons learned during wildfires and floods. These will
be combined with the latest science and emerging
policies to highlight actionable watershed management,
engineering design and operational strategies.
Session Moderator/ Facilitator: Garry Drachenberg.
#2: HDPE Electro-fusion and Multi-Joint
Repair Couplings
Monday March 9, 2015 – Morning (0.3 CEU’s pending)
Basics of thermoplastic piping systems are presented
with a focus on HDPE PE 100 resin specifications,
application potential for water and wastewater operations
and the logistic advantages of electro-fusing in the field.
We will review multi-joint repair couplings and associated
issues of joining dissimilar materials, as well, as using a
fully restrained rubber coupling.
Presenter: Brett Smith
#3: Process Control and SCADA System Fundamentals
Monday March 9, 2015 – Afternoon (0.3 CEU’s pending)
This workshop will engage participants in an analysis
Communications Media, and Supervisory Control. Also
covered: analog and discrete instrumentation, PLC’s,
wireless communications and HMI Interface.
Presenter: Zane Spencer
#4: Three Keys to Effective Supervision for
Water and Wastewater Operators
Tuesday March 10, 2015 – Morning (0.3 CEU’s pending)
Three of the most important keys to effective supervision
in a water or wastewater utility are Planning, Motivation
and Communication. This workshop will delve into these
keys and tie them together to provide the water and
wastewater operator with some useful tools to become
better supervisors.
Presenter: Gerald Samuel.
#5: Pipe Lining Systems: Gravity Sewers and
Structural Lining of Pressure Pipes
Tuesday March 10, 2015 – Morning (0.3 CEU’s pending)
This workshop will provide an overview of lining systems
for rehabilitation of gravity sewers, and structural lining of
pressure pipes. This will include current state-of-practice
for gravity sewer lining, which has been used since 1971,
addressing design requirements, system capabilities,
and current products and developments.
Presenters: George Bontus & Chris Macey
Continuing Education Unit Information
for Operators Seminar:
Cost:
Attending Tues. Wed. and Thurs.
0.9 CEUs
Full Seminar Registration AWWOA members (Monday - Friday)
$265 + GST
Attending a Pre-Seminar Workshop: (separate pre-registration)
0.3 CEUs
Full Seminar Registration Non-members (Monday - Friday)
$380 + GST
Attending Friday Technical Session: 0.3 CEUs
Display Viewing (One Day)
$100 + GST
Single Day Registration
(Wednesday or Thursday)
$150 + GST
Guest Program
(One Day Program)
$100 + GST
Banquet Ticket (Includes two beverage tickets)
$ 65 + GST
Pre-Seminar Workshops:
$100 + GST
$200 + GST
(NOTE: you must attend to receive the CEUs)
Registration:
Registrations for the Seminar accepted until
March 1, 2014. Anyone who has not been confirmed as
registered by March 1 will need to register in Banff.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
Half day
Full day
Congratulations on the 40th Anniversary
of the AWWOA Operators Seminar
On behalf of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development’s (ESRD)
Drinking Water and Wastewater Section, I would like to congratulate one of our
key stakeholders and close partners, the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators
Association, on the 40th anniversary of your Operators Seminar. The ‘March Seminar’
is the pinnacle event for operators each year, allowing everyone a chance to network
with familiar faces, as well as, getting to know new professionals. The tradeshow
offers an opportunity to see the latest and greatest of what suppliers have to offer,
and the workshops and presentations will certainly be packed with new information
and valuable ideas that help broaden everyone’s thinking.
Jeff Charrois, Manager, ESRD
I am personally looking forward to attending my first Banff Seminar this year. I am a
born and raised Albertan but have just return to Edmonton after living in Perth, Australia for the last four years. In
terms of drinking water, wastewater, and recycled water, my time in Australia was an exciting adventure as I was
directly working with many innovative technical solutions and cutting-edge research concepts on a daily basis. Now
firmly planted back home, I was extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to travel throughout Alberta this past
summer to see first-hand the breadth of operations that exist in the province, as well as, meet several operators and
municipal officials. My tours were hosted by various operators throughout the province, and facilitated by ESRD’s
Drinking-Water Quality Regulator, our Municipal Wastewater Specialist, and regional Drinking Water Operations
Specialists (DWOS). The summer was an amazing opportunity to learn much more about the challenges that
operators deal with every day. Some of the highlights included touring southern plants affected by the 2013 floods,
visiting some very large and modern plants in the north, seeing the need for regional connections in the east, and
better understanding small-system challenges in the west. I learned something new at every stop along the way and
it was a great to talk one-on-one with professional operators, who are dedicated to providing safe drinking water and
wastewater collection to Albertans. Operators are truly guardians of public health.
I thank you all for your hospitality this summer and I look forward to meeting more water professionals in 2015—
both at the Banff Conference and on the road.
Jeff Charrois, Manager, Drinking Water and Wastewater Section
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
What’s New at the 2015 Operators Seminar?
• Join us Monday March 9th for the Trade Show Reception and enjoy pizza, beer and wine while you chat up the next
big thing in the water and wastewater industry since centrifugal pumps!
• The delegate gift will commemorate the Seminar’s 40th year anniversary and can be picked up at the AWWOA booth
during the trade show.
• On Wednesday, March 11th, AWWOA is hosting a Casino Night social event from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Banff
Park Lodge ballroom. Bet on having fun with games, amazing prizes and a subsidized bar!
• Thursday evening will feature our 40th Annual Gala and yearly award presentations. The evening will be capped off
by the always entertaining Wayne Lee, a first class hypnotist who will have you laughing out loud.
• This year’s guest program will feature “Felt Painting” with renowned and award-winning artist Dana Roman (more
information on page 7).
• Be one of the first to see the AWWOA’s fresh logo and new user-friendly website which will provide improved
services to our members.
• The charity silent auction is always a hit. Don’t forget to bring an item and/or place a bid on your favourite piece.
Thanks in advance for supporting this great cause!
• A professional photographer/videographer will capture event highlights and your thoughts on the evolving industry.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
Annual General Meeting
AWWOA’s AGM will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Banff, AB. The following proposed amendments to
the Association’s bylaws relate to general housekeeping and the elimination of the webmaster non-voting/non-elected
director. Motion: Move to change and update the AWWOA bylaws as per the following:
Current
Proposed
2.1.10 “WCWWA” means the Western Canada Water
and Wastewater Association.
2.1.10 “WCW” means the Western Canada Water
Association.
5.2.1 Thirteen (13) Directors, who are Full Members
of the Association, including a minimum of:
5.2.1 Thirteen (13) Directors, who are Full Members
of the Association, including a minimum of:
a) Two (2) elected Directors from municipalities over
150,000 population.
a) Two (2) elected Directors from municipalities over
150,000 population.
b) Two (2) elected Directors from communities over
25,000 but under 150,000 population.
b) Two (2) elected Directors from communities over
25,000 and at or under 150,000 population.
c) Three (3) elected Directors from communities
over 5,000 but at or under 25,000 population.
c) Three (3) elected Directors from communities
over 5,000 and at or under 25,000 population.
d) Three (3) elected Directors from communities
under 5,000 or under populations.
d) Three (3) elected Directors from communities at
or under 5,000 or under population.
5.2.5 One (1) non-voting and non-elected Director,
who may or may not be a member appointed by
Alberta Environment.
5.2.5 One (1) non-voting and non-elected Director,
who may or may not be a member appointed by
Alberta Government.
5.2.7 One (1) non-voting and non-elected Director,
who will be the Webmaster and provide website
reports and information to the Executive Board.
5.2.7 Remove Webmaster clause and renumber 5.2.8
accordingly.
Canadian Water & Wastewater Operator Certification
Committee (CWWWOCC)
Canadian Best Practices
The Canadian Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Committee consists of
certification representatives from the all provinces and territories, with the exception of
Quebec. With cooperation and support from the Association of Boards of Certification
(ABC), the committee met in early September to discuss revisions to the Canadian
Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Best Practices. Other items discussed
were the ABC Professional Operator Program, the ABC Model Standards, ABC
Standards Assessment Services, Canadian Standardized Exams, Certified Operator
Minimum Attendance Requirements and the election of a new chair. Brian Gildner,
the Ontario representative will be the new Chair, replacing outgoing and retiring chair
Kathy Abramowski, from Alberta.
The final draft of the updated Best Practices should be available on the ESRD
Website: http://esrd.alberta.ca/water/programs-and-services/drinking-water/protection/
water-and-wastewater-operator-certification.aspx.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
Photo supplied by Kathy Abramowski
The Old Operator
Truth - Fact or Fiction in Your Life?
In life you have probably seen truth take many forms,
such as half-truths, or the total lack of it. Truth should
never change no matter what direction you approach it
from or angle you question it from. Truth should be the
same whether someone is there to witness it or not.
If truth is the cornerstone of your life then you know it
doesn’t represent a doorway but a stairway. As John
Wayne once said, “A man’s word is all he has to live by.”
Someone once wrote, “To thine own self be true.” I take
from this, if we can’t be honest with ourselves how do
we ever expect to be honest with others? In reflection,
I think everything worthwhile, everything of any value in
life, has a price. The price is a foundation of honesty and
truthfulness.
The true character of someone is revealed by what he
or she does when no one is watching. It’s staying late to
catch up on some work that got left behind, without being
asked and without asking for overtime. It is not important
that you came in early or worked late. The important thing
is why. It’s the extra time we spend with friends and family
when our schedule is pressing us to be someplace else.
I’m not ashamed to say my family comes first.
I believe integrity is the glue that holds the truth of our
life constant and unwavering. A true story is told about a
Math Corner
Early in a pre-season game a player who was
scholastically ineligible had played for 40 seconds. The
school didn’t find this out until after they had won the
Provincial Cup. Some folks wanted the school principal
to say nothing; after all it was only 40 seconds of play
and a pre-season game. Remember, truth should be the
same whether there is anybody to witness it or not. The
principal and the players all agreed; they needed to do
what was honest and truthful, abiding by the rules. The
Provincial Cup was taken away from them, but I thought
the wisdom of the principal and the school is worth
reflecting upon. The principal said, “People forget the
score of the volleyball game, but they don’t ever forget
what you’re made of.” It’s not what you do that counts as
much as why you did it - at least that’s how I see it.
The Old Operator, Doug Thorson
Problem from Fall 2014
Math Corner is an effort to improve an operator’s
technical skills. Your answer(s) should be correct and
match those of co-workers. Correct answers will be
included in the next newsletter. Math Corner is submitted
by Dave Noack.
New Problem: Winter 2015
volleyball team with 20 wins to 4 losses in their provincial
season. The defining game for the Provincial Cup found
this team come from behind and win. They had captured
the Western Provincial Cup; this was a first for this team.
If you had visited the school shortly after this success you
would find the glass trophy case outside the gymnasium
empty. What had happened that the Provincial Cup was
not sitting in the trophy case? Honesty happened.
A community is using a raw water source with 0.3 mg/l
natural fluoride. The operators have been directed to
ensure the treated water has 1.0 mg/l fluoride. If the
water plant treats 200 cubic meters of water per hour,
how many kilograms of fluoride must be added daily?
An operator comes in to work to find a note on a 20 litre
container of 12% Sodium Hypochlorite instructing him to
fill as much as possible, an empty day tank, that can hold
100 litres with a 4% solution. How does he do that given
the chemical available?
Answer:
The concentration times the volume of one solution
is equal to the concentration times the volume of the
second solution made from the first. The formula is:
C1 V1 = C2 V2
12 x 20 = 4 x V2
V2 = 60
Since the initial solution is 20 litres and the final solution
is 60, then 40 litres of water must be added to dilute it
down to 4%.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
AWWOA Enhances Communications Efforts
with the Help of Strategic Consultant
The AWWOA has a great story to tell and Tarra Kongrude’s role is to help spread the
message through strategic communications, traditional and digital marketing, as well
as building an active social media presence. She will be involved in several exciting
association projects which include the launch of a new user-friendly website, the roll out
of a fresh brand, and commemorative activities for the 40th annual seminar.
Tarra has over 20 years marketing and communications experience in the water and
wastewater utility field, having worked previously for EPCOR and the City of Edmonton.
Tarra Kongsrude
“I’m especially proud to promote the vital work that Alberta’s 2500 well-trained water and wastewater operators
perform in our communities. I look forward to meeting with old friends and making new ones at Banff in March.”
Emerging Trends Impacting the Water
and Wastewater Industry (0.3 CEU’s)
2015 Operators Seminar - Friday Workshop
Friday March 13, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (included with seminar registration)
PART 1 - Environmental Law and Liability Considerations for Water Systems and Governance Structures
Water utilities operate within a highly regulated industry. Failure to comply with all aspects of regulation can place
an organization and its personnel at risk. The purpose of this session is to explore this risk; how it arises, who it
affects, its consequences, and how best to avoid it.
PRESENTER: Derek J. King, Partner – Brownlee LLP, Calgary office
PART 2 - Boosting your Utilities Budget – How Proceeding Regionally May Give More Bang for your Utilities Buck
Municipal budgets are increasingly being challenged. The 2014 drop of world oil prices is hitting Alberta hard.
It is likely that the Province of Alberta will implement spending reductions, while increasing regulations and
sophistication of utility systems has resulted in increased costs. Simply increasing utility rates is not a sustainable
practice. This session provides insight into benefits of regionalization and the significant economies of scale
achieved by providing joint services.
PRESENTER: John C. McDonnell, Partner – Brownlee LLP, Edmonton office
Volunteer Opportunities
The AWWOA Executive has an exciting volunteer opportunity for members in good standing who will be attending
the Operators Seminar in Banff. We are looking for a dozen people who can contribute 10 hours each during
the Seminar, March 9-13. Duties include assisting with technical presentation, front desk registration, charitable
donations and other activities. In addition to bragging rights, you will also receive a free seminar registration and
banquet ticket (which includes special entertainment by hypnotist Wayne Lee). Please visit awwoa.ca for details
or contact Garth Carl at [email protected].
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
AWWOA Guest Program, Wednesday, March 11, 2015
This year’s guest program will feature “Felt Paintings” as designed by you with
the help of award winning artist Dana Roman. Explore your artistic side and join
Dana as she leads you through the techniques and art of felt painting. For more
information, please visit awwoa.ca.
About the artist: Dana designed and manufactured painted silk fabric and
artwear made of hand painted silk for 20 years. In 1997, she became a studio
artist and now works in acrylics, pastels, watercolors, monoprints, mixed media and textiles.
For more information on Dana please visit romandana.com.
Charitable Donations Change Lives
When you make a charitable donation to AWWOA sponsored projects
- Water School or Water for People – you are helping children and
communities to build a better future. Not only does clean water save
lives, it also allows people the opportunity to go to school rather than
spending all day hauling dirty water. One of the greatest gifts your
donation provides is the powerful message that someone cares, without
expectation of return. Share your compassion and good fortune with
others through charitable donations at our 2015 seminar:
•
Buy a ticket on the “guess jar” at the AWWOA table during Monday’s
wine and cheese event
•
Purchase a 50/50 ticket on Monday or Tuesday
•
Supply and/or bid on a silent auction item
•
Cash donation
Best regards from Doug Thorson, Charitable Donations Committee Chair
The Alberta Utility Operator Newsletter
provides a forum for communication
and networking among AWWOA
members in the areas of new
technologies and research, regulatory
concerns and changes, outstanding
service and other Association concerns.
Editors welcome suggestions for
content from the membership.
The Alberta Utility Operator Newsletter
is published three times a year by
the Alberta Water and Wastewater
Operators Association with assistance
from Alberta Environment and
Sustainable Resource Development.
Deadlines for submission are in January,
April and August.
Contacts:
Newsletter:
Gayle Sacuta
[email protected]
Association Office:
Dan Rites
Executive Director, AWWOA
email: [email protected]
Cathie Monson
Training Coordinator
email: [email protected]
Ashley Nichol
Member Services
email: [email protected]
Views expressed in The Alberta Utility
Operator are those of the writers.
Unless otherwise stated, articles
should not be interpreted as policy or
regulation and do not necessarily reflect
organizational or editorial policy.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
2015 AWWOA Classroom Courses
DATE
LOCATION
February 11 & 12, 2015
Lethbridge
February 11 & 12, 2015
February 18 & 19, 2015
February 24 – 27, 2015
March 3, 2015
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Red Deer
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Entry Level Training Course
Entry Level Training Course
Process Control Intermediate
Level III/IV Water Treatment Certification Preparation Course
Water Distribution Level II Certification Preparation
March 4, 2015
Red Deer
Wastewater Collection Level II Cert Prep
April 1 & 2, 2015
Calgary
Level II Certification Preparation Course
March 9, 2015
April 7 & 8, 2015
April 8 & 9, 2015 Banff
Edmonton
Calgary
ESRD Certification Exams
Water Well Operation and Maintenance
Level I Certification Preparation Course Part A
May 12 & 13, 2015 Calgary
Level I Certification Preparation Course Part B
April 13 & 14, 2015
Lethbridge
Water Distribution Systems
April 10, 2013
April 15 & 16, 2015 May 20 & 21, 2015
April 16 & 17, 2015
April 21, 2015
April 22, 2015
April 23 & 24, 2015
NEW COURSE
April 27, 28 & 29, 2015
May 4, 2015
May 5, 2015
May 6 & 7, 2015
May 12, 2015
May 13, 2015
NEW COURSE
NEW COURSE
May 14 & 15, 2015
ESRD
Edmonton
Edmonton
Lethbridge
Edmonton
Edmonton
Calgary
Red Deer
Calgary
Calgary
Application deadline for May ESRD Exams
Level I Certification Preparation Course Part A
Level I Certification Preparation Course Part B
Wastewater Collection Systems
Small Water Systems Course
Small Wastewater Systems Course
Coaching for Operators
Chlorination Workshop
Water Distribution Level II Certification Preparation
Wastewater Collection Level II Certification Preparation
Calgary
Support Systems & Applied Math Cert Preparation
Edmonton
Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment for Operators
Edmonton
Calgary
Understanding Source & Receiving Environments
Filter Surveillance Workshop
May 21 & 22, 2015
Calgary
Excel Water and Wastewater Operator Training
June 1 & 2, 2015 NEW COURSE
Edmonton
Hydrant Maintenance and Operation
June 8 & 9, 2015
Red Deer
Water Distribution Systems
May 25 - 29, 2015
June 4 & 5, 2015 NEW COURSE
June 11 & 12, 2015
June 22 & 23, 2015
Various
Calgary
Red Deer
ESRD Certification Exams
Hydrant Maintenance and Operation
Wastewater Collection Systems
June 24, 2015
Red Deer
Edmonton
SOP’s/Emergency Response Planning & Critical Analysis
June 26, 2015
Edmonton
Jar Testing
Ponds & Lagoons
For additional information, or to register for any of the AWWOA courses, go to www.awwoa.ca.
Alberta Water & Wastewater Operators Association
10806 – 119 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 3P2
Toll free: 1-877-454-7745, Local: 780-454-7745, Fax: 780-454-7758
8
www.awwoa.ca